At the end of Moses's life, he delivered a series of discourses to prepare his people to enter their promised land. Book of Mormon prophets quote from these sermons, applying them to their own people and to us. Moses's words in Deuteronomy can help us prepare to enter our promised lands.
An Offering for Sin
Lehi and his descendants followed the law of Moses, including offering sacrifices. Book of Mormon prophets used that practice to teach their people about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and to encourage them to live a consecrated life.
The Comfort of Complaint
Nephi explained that his brothers murmured because they didn't understand God's dealings. As the Israelites discovered in the wilderness, those dealings include delayed gratification, giving us space to develop faith in Him. We usually associate complaining with discomfort, but a pattern of murmuring represents a retreat to the familiar and an unwillingness to trust God.
Two Coats: Obedience, Loss, and New Beginnings in the Life of Joseph
Joseph lost both his outer garment and his freedom twice. His brothers stripped him of his coat and sold him into slavery. Potiphar's wife used his outer garment to falsely accuse him. But he remained faithful through both trials. Don't let repeated setbacks shake your faith.
Joseph and Nephi
Joseph's brothers resented his dreams foretelling their subservience to him. Laman and Lemuel resented Nephi for the same reason. Their anger reflected their own insecurities. Nephi and Joseph were wise to "heed them not," but to move forward, trusting God.
“I Have Enough, My Brother”
An important element in the happy reunion of Jacob and Esau is their prioritization of the relationship over worldly goods. Both brothers minimized the importance of wealth by saying, "I have enough." Contentment can cultivate gratitude and generosity.
Abraham, Tent-Dweller
Abraham lived in a tent, even though he was in the promised land. The author of Hebrews explained that he lived in a tent because he was looking forward to a permanent home that only God could provide. The tent indicated that he was rooted in God's promises, not in his current circumstances.
Unto a Land That I Will Shew Thee
God consistently invited Abraham to find hope by visualizing a prosperous future. Lehi similarly encouraged his family by focusing on their destination, not on what they had left behind. Discouragement looks backward, but hope faces forward. We make wiser decisions when we pursue meaningful goals instead of merely reacting to unpleasant circumstances.
Commandments and Trust
Noah, Lehi, and Nephi treated God's commandments as sacred trusts. God does not demand flawlessness in all things at all times, but we can show our love for Him by accepting His invitations and assignments and fulfilling them faithfully.
Joseph: He Arose
Joseph received multiple messages from God in dreams. Each time, “he arose” and followed the instructions he received without hesitation or delay. Lehi followed the same pattern, receiving divine messages in dreams and acting promptly. We can also lead our families through uncertainty by seeking and acting upon instructions from God.